The clink of silver cutlery against porcelain was the only sound in the grand dining hall. Tall windows spilled soft morning light across a table long enough to host an entire council. But only two people sat at it.
Aaradhya and Aaryan.
He at the head. She, placed precisely at his right.
She sat tall, draped in a soft ivory saree, her body still aching from last night’s endless claiming. The maids had bathed her gently, dressed her in silk, dabbed her wrists with rose essence. But nothing could hide the bruises Aaryan’s mouth had left on her inner thighs.
She shifted slightly. The soreness made her breath catch.
From the corner of her eye, she could feel his gaze on her. Like heat.
He hadn’t spoken since they entered the hall. Not a word after their shower. Not a whisper when he walked away, wrapped in his royal indifference again.
But his eyes said everything.
Last night wasn’t enough.
Aaradhya tried to steady her hands as she reached for her spoon. She felt the watching eyes of a few palace staff still present along the walls, too disciplined to stare but curious all the same.
They all knew.
Everyone knew the prince had finally taken his bride. Fully.
She was no longer untouched.
Aaryan sipped his black coffee slowly, then finally broke the silence.
“You didn’t eat much.”
She blinked. Swallowed.
“I’m not very hungry,” she said softly.
His eyes darkened slightly. “After last night, you should be famished.”
Heat rose up her neck.
He leaned back in his seat, one arm resting on the carved armrest, the other slowly swirling his coffee.
“Are you sore?” he asked.
Her heart stopped.
She nodded slowly. “Yes.”
His jaw tightened. Just for a second. Then his expression turned unreadable again.
“Good.”
She looked up. “Why is that good?”
“Because it means you remember me with every step you take.”
There it was again. That possessive edge. He didn’t speak like a husband. He spoke like a ruler, and she was his newest conquered kingdom.
She looked down again, forcing a small bite of fruit into her mouth, chewing slowly, ignoring the way her nipples tingled under her blouse at his voice.
Then his voice dropped low. Quiet. Only for her.
“Tonight, I want you to come to me. Without saree. Without silk. Just you. Naked. Waiting.”
Her breath caught. She nearly dropped her spoon.
Aaryan’s eyes sparkled with wicked amusement.
“Understood?” he asked.
She nodded.
“Say it.”
Her lips parted, voice barely audible. “Yes, Your Highness.”
He smiled. Not sweetly. Like a man who knew what power tasted like.
“Good girl.”
She knew then: this wasn’t the end of last night.
It was just the beginning.
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